All local and long-distance passenger traffic would stop until the labor market organizations reach an agreement on the locomotive drivers’ conditions. Rail freight traffic, on the other hand, would stop, with the exception of traffic critical to the security of delivery.
The national mediator assured on Thursday that he would continue to find out ways to reach an agreement before Monday.
Tero PalomäkiThe chairman of RAU, told public radio that the members of the union were especially disappointed that elements promoting their well-being at work were not included.
“We are looking for a way out of the negotiations that would make the strike unnecessary. We will resume discussions tomorrow at 8 am, he said.
He argued that the union’s proposal is not terribly expensive, but primarily addresses welfare issues, such as rest days between shifts and schedules that give workers more consecutive days off.
“It’s not an unreasonable demand compared to the requirements, and you can’t put a price tag on it. The proposal is not about money”, Palomäki looked.
On Thursday, Palta expressed her dismay at the rejection of the negotiated solution and stated that it raises the question of whether the union is truly negotiating to reach an agreement. Tuomas AartoPalta’s CEO said that the revisions presented by the union would constitute a so-called general line agreement.
“Rejected attempts to reach a settlement have been in line with the general line. We have tried to compromise as much as possible, he said.
Aarto said that it is impossible to predict whether the strikes will go through or not.
YLE wrote on Thursday that the central points of contention in the negotiations are the distribution of parental leave costs between employers and employees and the regulations regarding occupational well-being. National Mediator Anu Sajavaara has been leading efforts to resolve the labor dispute since late February.
The state railway company VR confirmed to public radio yesterday that if the drivers continue the strike, people should rely on other means of transport than rail transport. None of the long-distance trains canceled due to the strike will be replaced by bus services, it added.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
Source: The Nordic Page